WALES manager Mark Hughes last night vowed to leave no stone unturned in a bid to keep his side's Euro 2004 bid on course.

Fifa's bombshell on Monday that Azerbaijan have been suspended from all international competition, thus jeopardising the two qualifying group wins Wales have notched against the former Soviet republic, was top of the agenda at a previously scheduled meeting in Cardiff of the FAW's full council.

And Hughes emerged to deliver a scathing criticism of both the world governing body and Uefa over the way in which the matter has so far been handled.

"They did not even have the decency to ring us and the other countries involved in Group Nine before putting the suspension announcement on the internet," he said.

"We are not going to take this lying down because it is a major issue for us and we will be exploring every avenue open to us to ensure that we are not disadvantaged as a result of this decision."

If Azerbaijan's suspension is prolonged, Uefa will have to decide whether to expunge the two Wales wins from Group Nine, together with the draw Azerbaijan managed against Serbia-Montenegro. Although Wales would continue to head the group, their current five-point lead would be slashed to just two.

Fifa's action came as a result of what it claims is government interference in the affairs of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. A long-running row between the country's league clubs, who are supported by the government, and Affa president Fuad Musayev caused the domestic championship programme to be abandoned and elections to the ruling body to be cancelled. Tax officials are also probing allegations of fraud within Affa.

But a Fifa spokesman has pointed out the suspension could be lifted as quickly as it was imposed. Nicolas Maingot said: "There are a lot of conflicts of interest, expecially between Affa and the government. We have taken a decision for the time being. When the situation is back to normal, there can be elections in the country.

"We just don't want the government interfering with AFFA's affairs and if that stops we can go back to supporting Azerbaijan foot-ball."

With Serbia-Montenegro and Azerbaijan due to face each other in a Euro 2004 qualifier on June 11, Maingot added: "The ban is one thing and Euro 2004 is another. We cannot do anything about the knock-on effect there."

But Hughes is hopeful that the disputes will be sorted out and the suspension lifted in time for the match to go ahead.

"There are a few weeks in which it could be possible to resolve the various problems," he added. "There is much talking to be done and hopefully the picture will be much clearer by then.

"If it isn't resolved to our satisfaction, we'll just have to get on with the situation as it is.

"But if that was to be the case, if we were then to ensure qualification for Portugal next summer it would be that much sweeter."